Welcome To MTA
Welcome to the world of MTA - a dynamic, active organisation that is committed to the advancement of the role of Myanmar tea in the nation's economic climate and in the hearts and minds of tea lovers worldwide.
As one of the world's most important cash crops, tea plays a significant role in rural development, poverty reduction and food security in developing countries, including Myanmar. Once a byword for peace-making and an extremely expensive commodity, tea has evolved into the world's most consumed drink, after water. It is believed that tea originated in northeast India, north Myanmar (Burma) and southwest China and its history is as rich as it is long. Tea has played, and continues to play a significant role in many countries. It is not only an oft-consumed, omnipresent beverage in many of them, it is also an ancient tradition, unique to each nation. That is certainly true of Myanmar's unique tea heritage and tea-drinking culture which can be traced back centuries and can be explored in a dedicated book called “All About Tea” produced by ITC and the Myanmar SECO-UN Trade Cluster Project. It is the remit of the country's foremost tea association to ensure that the rich heritage and importance of this beloved product continues long into the future. Myanmar Tea Cluster (MTC) was established under Myanmar Fruits, Vegetables and Flowers Producers and Exporters Association (MFVP) in March 2013 and then registered as a separate association under DICA in 2018 as Myanmar Tea Producers and Exporters Association (MTA) and is dedicated to supporting the stakeholders in the tea industry in Myanmar. Our members are growers, processors and purveyors of various teas and they uphold our traditions, while also embracing modernity. They are the champions of our fermented tea leaf (also known as laphet which is a local specialty, an edible tea used widely in Burmese cooking, especially in salads), green tea, black tea, white tea, Oolong tea, herbal tea, Pu'er tea as well as fermented dried tea (known as Chin Nant).
About MTA
Our association leads all segments of the tea industry, covering all parts of the tea value chain from tea growers and farmers to SMEs and larger tea companies who, as a collective, collaborate together to develop the Myanmar tea sector in a sustainable manner. MTA and its members are active in raising awareness of the Myanmar tea industry both at home and abroad. We collaborate together to collectively promote Myanmar tea products in the international marketplace, to encourage foreign buyers to explore and purchase our teas by attending world renowned trade fairs and exhibitions where our teas have won awards on multiple occasions.
Multi-award Winning Myanmar Tea
Company Awarded
TGT Tea Company Limited
Awarding Body: Global Tea Fair (China)
Product Awarded: Gold Leaf and Jade Leaf
Awards Won:
- 2019 - Gold Award
- 2020 - Two Gold Awards
- 2023 - Special Gold Award
Company Awarded
TGT Tea Company Limited
Awarding Body: China ASEAN Expo 20th Anniversary
Product Awarded:
Awards Won:
- 2023 - Remarkable Achievement Award for Myanmar (awarded once every 10 years.
Member Highlights
18
Tea Clusters and Associations
2.5M
Acres of Plantations
12
Types of Tea in 6 Categories
50
SME Members
2.5M
Tea Grower Members
30
Corporate Members
Mission
Our objectives are multiple and largely consist of these four pillars:
- 1. Establishing cooperation mechanisms between growers and companies along the value chain
- 2. Providing market opportunities (local, regional and global) and linkages
- 3. Supporting our members with agricultural advancements such as improved technological systems and processing standards, as well as food safety and hygiene practices
- 4. Increasing revenue generation and financial sustainability for our members and the industry in general
Values
Accountability, transparency, inclusive development
Vision
To lead the sustainable socio-economic development of the Myanmar tea value chain
Partners Important collaborations with organisations like the International Trade Centre (ITC), have empowered MTA and our members, enabling the sector to grow. Initiatives, like Arise+ funded by the European Union, have brought about positive changes to a number of key areas of the sector including:
- Food Safety
- Market Extension
- Trade Promotion
- Value Addition of Tea Products
- Energy Efficiency
Resulting success stories such as the enhancing of food safety standards and the establishment of a new microbiological laboratory by U Kar Ka, as well as Power Maw Shan’s implementation of food safety excellence through site integration and improved documentation speak volumes about the ways in which the tea industry is making significant strides through commitment and global partnerships.
In the past we have also been supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) through the Myanmar-SECO-UN Trade Cluster Project “Enhancing Horticulture Capacity and Sustainable Tourism to Develop Business Linkages” which is funded by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland (SECO).